Bob,
old man had a .357 magnum (smith and wesson highway patrol) that I learned to shoot handguns with, was given 50 quid for it in 97 was a few years after that when I stopped reloading, along with my dad. The big stuff was really only for fun shoots, he was very much in to smallbore target, had enough medals to start a shop for it, I did well in under 16s and not to bad under 20's but being a leftie with him being right handed meant having 2 rifles which gets expensive. he managed to get me a model 54 in leftie (rare beast) to match his for a sensible price, wish I still had it to be honest, but no license and not willing to put one on the last house (bad area, didn't want it in the house and no way I was leaving it at the range) and the folks had moved some 100 miles away so couldn't leave it on his ticket. once I'd stopped he pretty much packed up too, he said he wasn't enjoying it but think he was struggling with a few issues that meant he couldn't keep up anymore, really a shame. He sold mine first which funded a new webley raider (now mine), then sold his a year later along with the 1022 and the 303 (that was fun at air cadets, they got a surprise the day I rocked up at the range with my own) , kept his shottie (now with my god father) and a few air rifles. when he passed away I took two of his air rifles (a very good condition BSA airsporter and the wobbly rider), my sister has his falcon and air pistol but doesn't use them, the pistol was only good for plinking though and I'd had to remake the action a few times before that. so I have those 2, some silly C02 rifle that was really for playing with, an air arms s200 (which is really my wifes) and an hw40 for offhand target pistol (not really suitable but I did alright with it). I've resigned from the club because I didn't like the politics or the charlies, I occasionally go down and pay a small fee to use it but it's rare as I don't have the time.
wow, sorry for the off topic there, back to it, I'll happily try anything, some things aren't for me others I find a passion for and stick to it, I'm not a craftsman, I'm a happy amateur.